Page 169 of Cross & Crown
“The diamonds inside the clover, there were symbols
etched on them.”
Nick sat back, a mixture of relief and irritation flowing
through him. “You didn’t want them to know.”
“No, I figured the less people who know about this, the
better. Especially people who steal priceless treasures and
hoard them in suitcases.”
“Fair enough.” Nick cleared his throat. “Do me a favor
and never Google your real name, okay?”
“What? Why?”
“No reason.” Nick raised his hand for a waitress. “I need
a fucking drink.”
When the first round came, JD took one of the napkins
from beneath his glass and drew the cross and clover on it.
Inside each leaf of the clover, he wrote the symbols he’d seen.
Kelly had his phone out, frowning at the screen.
Nick leaned toward him. They were sharing a love seat,
so he scooted closer, sliding his hand between Kelly’s thighs
so it would look like they were merely lovebirds on a date
rather than a group of men who’d just met the most notorious
criminal in Boston and were now here drinking so Paddy and
his boys could slip out the back of the hotel without being
seen. “What are you doing?”
“Looking up what circles mean.”
Nick tightened his grip, squeezing his thigh and pul ing
him closer. He whispered in his ear. “No beginning. No end.”
Kelly tried to turn his head, but Nick nudged his cheek with
his nose, refusing to let him move just yet. He closed his
170
eyes and rested his forehead against Kelly’s temple. “Like a